San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-10-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(Frcm Our Regular Correspondent
N,smNnnnN Sent. DC. 1887.


SI4, 100000 in bonds was wise and
timely, is tho opinion Of able and ex'
perienced financiers in all portions OF
the country, and there is also a gen
eral feeling that a financial crisis was
narrowly averted-due directly to
the constant and enormous absorb
ton of currency by the immense sur
plus that continues TO accumulate
with startling persistency. u know
of certain staunch and substantial
business firms in some great CONNER
cial centres of the Union, that were
absolutely unable to place loans with
the best collateral at twenty per cent.
The ready response to the Treasur-
er's measure of relief has been so
satisfactory that it is believed there
will be no further tightness general
ly seriously felt in the money market
until Congress will have the oppor-
tunity to provide permanently for
the country's financial ills, brought
on by the canker-worm OF our body
politic-the Treasury surplus-our
troublesome heritage from the un-
sound fiscal policy of the republicans.
The President and Secretary Bay
ard had conference lasting nearly
half a day during the past week, dur
ing which several Congressman were
denied audience, and it is supposed
that some affair of State of grave i'm
port-perhaps the solution OF the
fisheries problem-was under discus
sion, though nothing has yet tran
spired to indicate tte subject matter
of the consultation.
The Commissioner of Internal re-
venue is preparing statement that
will show to what extent the Govern.
ment receipts would be decreased by
total repeal of the internal revenue
taxes, and the result, SO far, is inter-
esting in one aspect, at least, as
showing q decided change in the
dubious tendencies and inclinations
of the citizens of the United States.
1t appears MS compared with the
previous fiscal year there has been a
great falling off in the manufacture
of whisky-the decreased taxation
amounting to nearly three millions
and three-q uarters-the decline hay
ing been noticed for q number Of
years past. But, on the other hand,
the manufacture of beer is so rapidly
increasing that it may now be term
ed tie national beverage-the in
creased taxation of the past year
showing gain of about two million
and half dollars over the preced-
ing year. At an early date the Com
missioner proposes to have an ana
lytical test made made of every brand
of American beer, as it is alleged that
many brewers use more alcohol in
their beer than the law allows-hence
it is thought the analysis will cause
a sensation. The Commissioner Of
Internal Revenue states it as his be
lief that the steady decrease in the
in the manufact ure of distilled spirits
is due to the rapid growth of tenn
perance reform in this country.
While all is quiet in politics-this
being an off year-it may startle, il
it does not awe your readers, that
new presidential ticket, and a won
derful combination it is, too, linking
as it does two of the great names o.
the nation, has been launched here
at the Capital. And well may Presi
dent Cleveland as he realizes the
strength OF this combine" quake il
his boots as he sees his vision of q
second term vanish into thin air
for how does he dare to oppose the
presidential aspirations of those
mighty men ofrenown, those eminent
statesmen who will favorably com
pare with the fathers of the Repub
lic-Lincoln and Douglass! Yes,
repeat it, Robert Lincoln and Fred
erick Douglass. The glorious deco
was done at a banquet giver
Douglass, the intellectual giant O.
the negro race, on the anniversary o.
emancipation day, and though, by {
strange coincidence, Robert, the sol
of his father, happened to be in the
city at the same time, do not know
that he is committed to the move
ment, yet his presence here on sucl
an occasion may be significant
The frisky and hayward Riddle
berger, feeling that he had been snub
bed by his republican senatorial as
sociates, threatens to give the ma
jority trouble next winter by voting
with the democrats and tying th,